Container with tray lids



Aug. 4, 1959 R. H. BISHOP CONTAINER WITH TRAY uns Filed March 6, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HA Y H. BISHOP ATTORNEY YPatented Aug. 4, 1959 United States Patent Ciiice CONTAINER WITH TRAY LIDS Ray H. Bishop, San Francisco, Calif. Application March 6, 1956, Serial No. 569,869

1 Claim. (Cl. 220-29) This invention relates to a container with tray lids.

An object of this invention is to provide a container with a pair of hinged lids swingable in opposite directions into out-of-the-way positions, and in which each lid is formed in the shape of a tray adapted to hold thereon articles as needed; the said lids complement one another to cover the entire container, yet permit the stacking and easy handling of such containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container with lid trays Aadapted to hold articles such as parts for assemblies, tools, or other items used by a workman in connection with a particular operation utilizing the contents of the container, the trays being so hinged'that they are capable to rest within the top of the container and are adapted to serve as supports for nesting the bottoms of similar containers stacked thereon.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the general arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following specification, and as defined in the following claim; hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the said device and parts as described in the said specitication, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for the illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a container, showing one lid open.

Fig. 2 is a sectional fragmental detail view showing stacked containers.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container and lids, and

Fig. 4 is a cross-section view of the same.

This invention includes a rm skeleton structure which consists of corner post 1 formed of angle irons arranged vertically, the bottom edges of which are connected by corner strips 2. The horizontal flange of each bottom strip 2 is bulged downwardly to form a longitudinal rib or boss 3 spaced inwardly of the side so as to serve for nesting as hereinafter described. In the present illustration transverse reinforcing stays 4 are provided between the opposite strips 2 for the purpose of reinforcing the bottom of the container. There may be also provided longitudinal wooden strips `6 for the purpose of facilitating the movement of such trays upon certain conveyors.

The upper ends of the posts 1 of the skeleton frame are connected by wider strips 7 which form a comparatively wide skirt around the upper rim or edges of the container. The top edge of each skirt or strip 7 is rolled around a reinforcing rod 8 which forms a stiff rim. A liner 9 preferably of corrugated paper lines the container. This liner is foldable so that it maybe inserted folded and then open up in the box or frame to be held in position.

roundjeach longitudinal -top edgel'l of the container y'a pair of spaced hinged brackets '12 to receive hinges 113 extending from the upper edge of the adjacent side 14 of cover tray or lid frame 16.

The cover tray or lid frame 16 has a hinged side 14 with a pair of transverse sides 17 and a bottom 18. At the free fourth side there is a retaining and reinforcing rib 19 extending between the free ends of the sides 17. The rib 19 is lower than the height of the sides 14 and 17 to allow the nesting of another container thereon, and also to furnish reinforcement and strength for stacking and for loading.

The two half lids or cover trays '16 are identical and each is hinged at its outer edge or side and each can be swung independently of the other as illustrated in Fig. 1. Around the top edges of the three sides 14 and 17 of the lid extends a reinforcing rod 21 and the upper edges of the respective sides 14 and 17 are curved over said rod in a tubular shape to form a rim all around the three sides of the tray. This rim formed around the reinforcing rod 21 projects outwardly of the lid so as to overlie and rest upon the rims formed on the reinforced member at the top of the container, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Thus when the cover tray is in position it rests rmly and solidly upon the top rim and when it is open it freely hangs along one side of the container with the tray portion facing toward the container. The hinge structure `12 is elevated above the longitudinal sides of the trays 14.`

In order to facilitate the carrying of the container the liner is cut away at the middle of each end thereof, just below the reinforced rim 11 and the skirt 7 is also bent upwardly at said cut to form a recess 22 for the ngers or hand for lifting the container.

As one lid is opened to gain access to the items stored in the container, the other lid can remain closed to permit tools or articles to be placed thereon as needed. If more working area is required, the other lid can be also closed. The container having a skeleton frame and liner `and such lids supported and constructed as herein described, is light but firm and strong, it can be safely stacked and transported, yet it is easily uncovered at work `and readily utilized as a working tray or bench.

I claim:

In a container stackable on the top of an adjacent container, the combination with a skeleton container frame, having vertical members connected at the top thereof by a reinforced rim and at the botom by strips with inward ilanges, and having a removable liner supported on said flanges and covering the bottom and sides of said skeleton frame; of a` top structure for the container comprising a pair of lid sections complemental to cover the entire top of the skeleton frame, each lid section including a reinforced outer frame along the sides thereof adjacent the container periphery and overlying the respective adjacent portions of said reinforced rim, hinge connection between one side of each reinforced frame and the adjacent side of the reinforced rim to permit swinging of said lid section away from said reinforced rim and to a generally vertical position along the outside of the adjacent vertical side of the container, and a tray bottom recessed from said reinforced frame inwardly of the container so as to cover the portion of the container defined by said frame, a reinforcing inside edge on each lid section adjacent to the meeting edge of the other lid section being recessed inwardly of the container relatively to the plane of said reinforced frame, and bottom projections from said bottom strips of said container fitting into the recessed tray along said reinforced frame of van adjacent container for stacking such containers.

(References on following page) References Cirted in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Williams Aug. 6, 1895 Michael Apr. 5, 1910 5 Webster Mar. 23, 1915 

